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—01. Reversible.—02. Original Leopard Pattern.

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Bal is a somewhat newer brand on the radar for me but one that has some great products for this upcoming season. The PrimaLoft makes this piece perfect for layering as it isn't too thick or too heavily insulated. Leopard print isn't for everybody, although I think it's subtle enough that it works well as a vest in this case, but if you're not into it, reverse it.

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Season after season Beams Plus delivers interesting collections filled with new inspirations, classic staples and an exciting variety of collaborations. This spring we have received some of each; from the interesting coach's jacket to their great offering of socks. This spring also includes a collaboration 3-piece set with Kelty and a chambray western shirt made especially for Inventory Items.

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—01. Spring camouflage.

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Fall and winter are usually the seasons for solids, but once the sun is shining a little brighter, and staying up a little longer, it seems more people are willing to wear a printed piece or two. In recent seasons a lot of brands have offered something interesting print-wise in the short department, but South 2 West 8 have decided that this spring it's time to go deer camo crazy. This great pattern features on everything from shirts and jackets, to scarves and hats in the new Spring collection, so there should be an option for almost anybody that's a fan of this unique looking camouflage.

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—01. Available in brown & blue.

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These corduroy jackets keep pretty close to the original inspiration, while still updating the fabrics, fit and small details subtly. This is a nice example of why I first fell in love with the brand. Visvim's simplified contemporary versions of classic Americana items are always among my favorites.

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—01. A January recommendation from Fantastic Man.

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I was reminded about this Japanese stationery brand twice recently. Firstly back in January Fantastic Man wrote a daily recommendation that sounded eerily familiar (thanks to the 6 man, hour long examination of the store we undertook in November): "We must have been doing something wrong during a recent visit to Japan, because unlike what we’d expected, we weren’t particularly successful in finding fabulous examples of the famed Japanese designer stationery and desk accessories. (The department store TOKYU HANDS is big, but not a great treasure source – where should we have gone instead?) Luckily, others are doing the search-and-select process for us, such as Amsterdam-based mail-order store Miscellaneous. Among lots of great objects are these attractive numbered brass paper clips. Much nicer than the common Post-It or the folded corner of a page." The paperclips are the work of the excellent Midori stationery company, and you can add Present to the list of the brands stockists should the above, and below, appeal to you. Present have themselves just received a reorder of the fantastic stationery, which was actually the second of the two recent reminders I mentioned earlier.

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—01. A well-thumbed cover.—02. Bags.—03. Shoes and boots.

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This 1976 edition of the once popular, and perhaps subculture defining, publication has frequently appeared in front of me at various times, and in various places, throughout the last year. Most notably during our trip to Tokyo at the tail end of 2011, where if it wasn't being spotted in the locked cabinet of a bookstore, it was on the desk during a meeting, or in someones personal collection at home; being used for both inspiration and reference. During the course of my limited viewings, it's been easy to see why the magazine has been so highly sought after, and so extremely influential to those that own it. It would also appear that the near-constant haunting of it's influence will no longer be limited to the real world either: this week it was featured on Swimsuit Department, as part of their 'Lucky Wednesday' discovery.

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—01. Shirt and pants by Needles, shoes by McKinlays.

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Nepenthes have just updated their website with a new editorial. Directed by Katsuyuki Honjo and shot by Go Tanabe, it features products by Engineered Garments, El Resero, Needles, McKinlays and South 2 West 8, and can be seen in full by clicking on the link below.

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—01. Made in Japan.—02. Lined with Wool and Alpaca.

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There has always been something about N-1 jackets that have always struck a strong cord with me, the functionality, the silhouette, and the heritage are all aspects of this Buzz Rickson coat that make it work for me. Visually, the durability looks like it could handle itself through various weather elements and outdoor conditions. The khaki colour and darker toned lining work nicely together, the details that I appreciate haven't been overlooked and that's to be expected coming from Buzz Rickson.